Holiday Destinations

Couple convert ex-Royal Navy helicopter into luxury cabin for five

Couple convert ex-Royal Navy helicopter into luxury cabin for five
Martyn and Louise Steedman have converted a decommissioned Sea King helicopter into a luxury tiny dwelling
Martyn and Louise Steedman have converted a decommissioned Sea King helicopter into a luxury tiny dwelling
View 17 Images
The ex-Royal Navy helicopter was purchased at auction for £7,000 (approx. US $9,100) in March last year, before being transported by road and then craned into its new home on the Mains Farm Wigwams' campsite
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The ex-Royal Navy helicopter was purchased at auction for £7,000 (approx. US $9,100) in March last year, before being transported by road and then craned into its new home on the Mains Farm Wigwams' campsite
Helicopter Glamping is located on the MainsFarm Wigwams campsite in Scotland
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Helicopter Glamping is located on the MainsFarm Wigwams campsite in Scotland
Original flight deck components, including the dashboard, roof panel switches, and foot pedals, have been kept
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Original flight deck components, including the dashboard, roof panel switches, and foot pedals, have been kept
The seven-meter-long (23 ft) Sea King ZA127 aircraft interior has been converted using boat building techniques, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere
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The seven-meter-long (23 ft) Sea King ZA127 aircraft interior has been converted using boat building techniques, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere
Original flight deck components, including the dashboard, roof panel switches, and foot pedals, have been retained
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Original flight deck components, including the dashboard, roof panel switches, and foot pedals, have been retained
Doubledoors lead out onto an outdoor patio, where guests can relax and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape
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Doubledoors lead out onto an outdoor patio, where guests can relax and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape
Wooden paneling clad the interior walls and wool insulation was used to insulate the cabin
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Wooden paneling clad the interior walls and wool insulation was used to insulate the cabin
A decommissioned Sea King helicopter is now available to glamping and tiny house enthusiasts
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A decommissioned Sea King helicopter is now available to glamping and tiny house enthusiasts
Helicopter Glamping offers a unique escape away for up to five guests
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Helicopter Glamping offers a unique escape away for up to five guests
The unique accommodation features a kitchen, bathroom and private cockpit lounge – double doors lead out onto an outdoor patio, where guest can relax and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape
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The unique accommodation features a kitchen, bathroom and private cockpit lounge – double doors lead out onto an outdoor patio, where guest can relax and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape
Helicopter Glamping comes with a spectacular cockpit lounge area that takes advantage of the views across the Carse of Stirling to the Fintry Hills
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Helicopter Glamping comes with a spectacular cockpit lounge area that takes advantage of the views across the Carse of Stirling to the Fintry Hills
Helicopter Glamping all lit up at night
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Helicopter Glamping all lit up at night
Martyn and Louise Steedman have converted a decommissioned Sea King helicopter into a luxury tiny dwelling
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Martyn and Louise Steedman have converted a decommissioned Sea King helicopter into a luxury tiny dwelling
Helicopter Glamping is located on the Mains Farm Wigwams campsite in Scotland
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Helicopter Glamping is located on the Mains Farm Wigwams campsite in Scotland
The unique accommodation features a double bed, a single bed in the tail, a living area with seating that can be converted into additional bedding suitable for two children, a kitchen, bathroom and private cockpit lounge
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The unique accommodation features a double bed, a single bed in the tail, a living area with seating that can be converted into additional bedding suitable for two children, a kitchen, bathroom and private cockpit lounge
The original cockpit
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The original cockpit
Double doors lead out onto an outdoor patio, where guest can relax and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape
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Double doors lead out onto an outdoor patio, where guest can relax and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape
View gallery - 17 images

Martyn and Louise Steedman, theowners of Mains Farm Wigwams, haveconverted a decommissioned Sea King helicopter into a luxury tinydwelling that is now available to glamping and tiny house enthusiasts.Located in the countryside of Stirling in Scotland,"Helicopter Glamping" offers a unique escape away for up to fiveguests and comes with a spectacular cockpit lounge area that takesadvantage of the views across the Carse of Stirling to the FintryHills.

"Wehave snapped up a Sea King helicopter at auction which [has been]transformed into glamping accommodation for a family of five with aquirky cockpit dining area, a mini kitchen, en-suite shower room and'flight' deck," say the Steedmans.

Theex-Royal Navy helicopter was purchased at auction for £7,000(approx. US $9,000) in March last year, before being transported byroad and then craned into its new home on the Mains Farm Wigwams'campsite. The couple spent months restoring many of the aircraft's originalfeatures, including its exterior, while completely transforming theinterior into luxurious, albeit tight, accommodation.

A decommissioned Sea King helicopter is now available to glamping and tiny house enthusiasts
A decommissioned Sea King helicopter is now available to glamping and tiny house enthusiasts

"Wesourced some original rotor blades and replaced her tail rotors withsome we discovered on eBay, as we wanted her to still look like ahelicopter from the outside," say the Steedmans."Her once peeling paintwork is a thing of the past afterseveral days spent sanding her down and completely repainting her,whilst making sure we kept all her original signage. We thought wemight have trouble finding the right shade of grey, but it turns outfarm oxide paint – normally used for farm buildings or fencing –is a perfect match for her military color."

Theseven-meter-long (23 ft) Sea King ZA127 aircraft interior has beenconverted using boat building techniques to create a warm andinviting atmosphere that also provides practicality and function.Wooden paneling clads the interior walls and wool insulation was usedto insulate the cabin. The duo also added a sun dome and double-glazed doors to the aircraft, allowing for more natural light toflow through the space while also giving the impression ofadditional room.

Helicopter Glamping offers a unique escape away for up to five guests
Helicopter Glamping offers a unique escape away for up to five guests

Theconverted interior offers a comfortable setting that sleeps a maximumof five guests (two adults and three children). The unique accommodationfeatures a double bed, a single bed in the tail, a living area withseating that can be converted into additional bedding suitable fortwo children, a kitchen, bathroom and private cockpit lounge. Doubledoors lead out onto an outdoor patio, where guests can relax and enjoyviews of the surrounding landscape.

The Steedmans also kept many of the helicopter's original flight deckcomponents,including the dashboard, roof panel switches and foot pedals, andrestored all of the external lights.

"Inside,we've retained many of the Sea King's original features but have removed the bulky sonar station to make way for a shower roomand mini-kitchen," the Steedmans say. "We've kept and restored all of her originallighting, so when you see her lit up a night she looks as if she isready to take off."

Helicopter Glamping comes with a spectacular cockpit lounge area that takes advantage of the views across the Carse of Stirling to the Fintry Hills
Helicopter Glamping comes with a spectacular cockpit lounge area that takes advantage of the views across the Carse of Stirling to the Fintry Hills

Overallthe Steedmans spent close to £40,000 (US$52,000), including the initial purchase price, to convert the helicopter. The aircraft is now availablefor overnight and weekend stays, with prices starting from £150(US$195) per night.

Glamperscan also enjoy some of the local outdoor activities and attractions,which include hiking, cycling and day trips to the Loch Lomond andTrossachs National Park.

Source: Helicopter Glamping via Designboom

View gallery - 17 images
2 comments
2 comments
ljaques
'Tis a pity it's not still running, or that would be the ultimate glamping machine, wot? Fly to wherever, land, and enjoy the week there. Different season, different shore or mountain or prairie. Not too dippy about the interior makeover, though.
toyhouse
Agree with ljaques 100 percent. A shame it's not doing it's camping thing in the sky. The pilot and co-pilot would do double-duty as butler and chef! Hopefully, not both at the same time. It'd be expensive but an impressive getaway.